WO1999017246A2

WO1999017246A2 - Method for verifying the identity of a passenger

Info

Publication number: WO1999017246A2
Application number: PCT/US1998/020025
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zaher Al-Sheikh
Original assignee: Al Sheikh Zaher
Priority date: 1997-10-01
Filing date: 1998-09-23
Publication date: 1999-04-08
Also published as: GB2368961A; AU9507598A; US8081803B2; WO1999017246A3; US20090100728A1; GB0203594D0; US6137895A; GB2345180B; US6766039B1; GB2345180A; US20020126878A1; GB2368961B; GB0007568D0

Abstract

A conveyance boarding pass (10) includes a human cognizable image (4, 6) of a passenger as well as the travel itinerary details (4). The human cognizible image is collected using a device capable of generating an electronic image at a time when the identification of the passenger is verified. Upon presenting the boarding pass the identity of the bearer is checked against the human cognizible image on the boarding pass to maintain the security of the transport system. The electronic image optionally is stored in a computer database in combination with the travel itinerary details for further security and other uses.

Description

METHOD FOR VERIFYING THE IDENTITY OF A PASSENGER

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method for verifying the identity of a passenger,

more particularly the invention involves printing a human cognizable image of the

passenger on a conveyance ticket so as to facilitate rapid and repeated security

verification.

Background of the Invention

Concerns over the ever-increasing sophistication of terrorism and drug

trafficking have prompted transportation networks to utilize increased security

procedures, in order to keep pace. Traditional security protocols dictate heightened security perimeters surrounding sensitive areas, as one approaches

those areas. For example, the sensitive area of an airport is the aircraft itself.

While runways and secure aircraft service areas are protected by a badge and

uniform system by which only authorized personnel are permitted access to various secure areas, this system is not amenable to controlling aircraft access by

passengers. Current security doctrine involves allowing access to airport terminals

to the public upon passing a metal detector screening. Upon presenting a ticket

and perhaps a form of photo-identification, a passenger is issued a boarding pass

which designates the flight particulars of the passenger. The issuance of a

boarding pass may occur on either side of the metal detection screening. The

present system fails in that there are no means available to verify whether the

passenger presenting a boarding pass upon gaining access to the aircraft, is in fact the passenger of record. In this way, the secure nature of the aircraft to only

authorized passengers is compromised.

The weaknesses of the conventional security systems in regard to the

presentation of a boarding pass by a person other than the passenger of record are

not practically solved with existing methods. The addition of a passenger

identification checkpoint using picture identification at the point of gateway

embarkation is not feasible, owing to the time-consuming nature of a checkpoint.

A checkpoint procedure under ideal conditions requires about thirty seconds per

passenger and results in delays in loading the aircraft. This process is further

slowed by passengers fumbling for picture identification stored in baggage, purses,

wallets and the like. Thus, there exists a need for a method of verifying a

passenger's identity at the time of boarding the transport that does not involve the

use of a separate piece of picture identification.

Security at airports, passenger ships, train and bus stations, as well as other

central transportation sites is a concern for all who utilize conveyances such as

aiφlanes, trains and buses. Various systems are utilized to verify the identity of

a passenger prior to boarding such a conveyance. For example, the identity of the

passenger is typically verified at the time the ticket is purchased, at the time the boarding pass is issued or during passenger check-in. Because the identity of a

passenger is not typically verified after the purchase of the ticket or after the issuance of the boarding pass, there is an opportunity for a ticket purchased by one

passenger to be utilized by another passenger. Thus, there remains a need for a simple system which will permit the verification of the identity of a passenger at

the time of boarding the particular conveyance.

Summary of the Present Invention

The present invention satisfies this need by providing a method for verifying the identity of a passenger at the time of boarding. The method includes

the steps of initially verifying the identity of a passenger prior to the time of

boarding. For example, the identity of the passenger may be verified at the travel

agent or airline counter when the ticket is purchased and travel arrangements are

made. Alternately, the identity of the passenger may be verified upon check-in at

the transportation site. Next, a photographic image of the passenger who has

purchased the ticket is taken with a device capable of generating and outputting

an electronic image. The photographic image is taken in a manner that prevents

the passenger from changing places with another person following identity

verification. A variety of digital cameras are available which enable an electronic

image to be taken of an individual and which output an electronic image.

Illustratively, devices capable of generating an electronic image include charged

coupled device (CCD) arrays and video analog camera/video frame grabber

systems. It is appreciated that a relatively low quality image is sufficient for

operation of the instant invention. For instance a 256 gray scale image renders

comparison possible without consuming undue computer storage space. Higher

quality images including color are also operative herein. Brief Description of the Drawing

Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of a conveyance ticket of the instant

invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The instant invention is discussed herein in reference to passenger aircraft

transportation, not as a means of limitation, but rather is intended to be exemplary

of the invention utility. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate the applicability of the instant invention to passenger identification in the

transportation contexts illustratively including: cruise ships, ski-lifts, rail- and bus-

lines.

Upon purchase of a conveyance ticket or at the time travel arrangements

are made, the identity of the passenger is verified and an electronic image of the

purchasing passenger is taken, with a device capable of generating an electronic

image. Alternatively, the passenger identity is verified upon check in at the

transportation site. Illustratively, devices capable of generating an electronic

image include charged coupled device (CCD) arrays and video analog

camera/video frame grabber systems.

The electronic image is input to a printer which prints a human-cognizable image of the passenger onto a boarding pass 10 which is depicted in Figure 1.

Any dissimilarity between the person requesting a boarding pass and the passenger

of record thus becomes obvious to the issuing agent by visual comparison of the

printed image 2 and the person requesting the pass. Upon a passenger presenting a conveyance ticket, a boarding pass of the instant invention is then issued. Owing

to relatively low quality of the image 2, such as a 256 gray scale image, the

printing of the human cognizable image does not significantly decrease the speed

at which an agent distributes passes. It is appreciated that a higher quality image

in terms of gray scale tones or color is also operative herein. Preferably, the information on the travel itinerary 4 of the passenger is also printed onto the

boarding pass at this time, although the electronic image may be printed onto a

boarding pass already containing such information. It is further appreciated that

a conveyance ticket itself is amenable to use a substrate for the printing of a

human-cognizable image of the instant invention, especially in instances where a boarding pass separate from the ticket is not issued.

An additional human-cognizable image 6 may be printed on the boarding

pass, thus enabling an image to be printed on passes having several separable

portions. The retention of a portion of the pass having the passenger's image

thereon optionally allows for additional verification stages following boarding.

The boarding pass substrate 12 is generally composed of a semi-rigid

rectilinear portion of paper or cardboard. Preferably, the substrate 12 has a

perforation line 14 transecting the substrate. The substrate being printed with a blank conveyance form (not shown). The form is formatted to accept

individualized travel itinerary details 4 of the passenger within blank sections

thereof. The individualized travel details illustratively including: passenger name,

passenger destination, transport designation, departure time, arrival time, seat assignment, travel class, transport tariff and the like. In particular to aircraft

transport the details may include flight number and meal selection information.

A portion of the blank form being open for the printing of the human cognizable image of the passenger.

The passenger then proceeds to the boarding site with the boarding pass.

At the time of boarding, or upon arrival at the boarding site, the human-cognizable

image on the boarding pass is compared with the passenger presenting the

boarding pass to ensure that the passenger who purchased the ticket is the same

passenger who is boarding the conveyance.

The security of the transport is enhanced by passenger verification

occurring at the time of boarding. The identity verification method of the instant

invention is considerably quicker than that using picture identification because the

verifying agent merely glances at the face of the passenger and their presented

boarding pass. In a preferred embodiment, the electronic image of the passenger is

associated with the travel arrangements of the passenger and stored in a

centralized database. The database storage of a passenger image with travel

arrangements provides for subsequent security monitoring and for the tracking of

criminal suspects traveling with counterfeit identification. Furthermore, image

data coupled with travel itinerary data is optionally utilized outside of a security

setting to provide demographic passenger information, for targeting transport promotional offers, and verification of non-transference of special fares and

benefits extended to particular passengers.

In an alternative embodiment, the human-cognizable electronic image, and other individualized travel details, illustratively including: passenger name,

passenger destination, departure time, arrival time, seat assignment, travel class,

transport tariff, et al, are tied electronically to a unique alphanumeric code, printable in alphanumeric and in bar code format.

All pertinent text-based individualized travel details then are printed upon

the boarding pass, along with the unique alphanumeric code, in alphanumeric and

bar code format. Upon boarding, or at any other prior or subsequent security

checkpoint, the bar code is read with a bar code scanner, which then causes the

individualized travel details to be referenced, and the human-cognizable digital

image to be displayed upon a video screen interfaced with the bar code scanner at

the security checkpoint. This image is then compared with the individual

presenting the boarding pass.

The unique alphanumeric code also is provided in alphanumeric format to

enable manual entry of the code in the event of difficulty reading the printed bar

code. It is appreciated that the alphanumeric and bar code formatted information

is optionally printed in duplicate on separable portions of the boarding pass.

In still another embodiment, the camera taking the image of the passenger

may directly apply the image to the boarding pass by using either photosensitive

material in at least a portion of the boarding pass in a Polaroid-type system or by directly transferring the electronic image created by a digital camera to the

boarding pass.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is

well adapted to carry out the objects and provide the applications mentioned, as

well as those inherent therein. Modifications and variations within the spirit of the

invention will occur to those skilled in the art. Such modifications are also

intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

Claims

Claims 1. A method for encoding an aircraft boarding pass with an image of

a passenger to facilitate identity verification of the passenger at the time of aircraft

boarding, comprising the steps of:

verifying the identity of the passenger prior to the boarding of the said

aircraft and at a location beyond a security perimeter surrounding said aircraft;

taking an electronic image of the passenger with a camera capable of

generating a digital, computer-storable image output;

associating said digital, computer-storable image output with individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger, said details comprising

passenger name, passenger destination, aircraft flight number, aircraft departure

time and passenger seat assignment;

printing a human-cognizable image of the passenger onto a boarding pass,

the boarding pass comprising: a self-supporting substrate having a perforation line transecting said substrate; a blank conveyance form printed on said substrate, said

form having an open section, and blank sections proportioned for individualized

travel itinerary details of the passenger, said details comprising: passenger name,

passenger destination, aircraft flight number, aircraft departure time and passenger

seat assignment; and an image of the passenger printed in the open section of said

form; and comparing the human-cognizable image on said boarding pass with the

passenger presenting said boarding pass at the time of boarding of said aircraft and

at a location within said security perimeter isolating said aircraft.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: printing a

second human-cognizable image of the passenger onto said boarding pass such

that the perforation line is between said human-cognizable image and said second human cognizable image.

3. The method of claim 2 further including the step of: dividing said

substrate along the perforation line into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality

of portions having printed thereon individualized travel itinerary details of the

passenger comprising: passenger name, passenger destination, and passenger seat

assignment.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: retrieving,

in combination, said itinerary details and said digital, computer-storable image

output from a computer database in which said details and said output are stored.

5. A travel boarding pass for verifying the identity of the bearer, the

boarding pass comprising:

a self-supporting substrate; a blank conveyance form printed on said substrate, said form having an

open section, and blank sections proportioned for printing individualized travel

itinerary details of the passenger comprising: passenger name, destination,

departure time and seat assignment; and

a human-cognizable image of the passenger printed in the open section of

said form.

6. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein a perforation line transects said substrate.

7. The boarding pass of claim 6 further comprising a second image

of the bearer such that the perforation line is between said image and said second

image.

8. The boarding pass of claim 7 wherein said substrate is divisible

along the perforation line into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of

portions having printed thereon individualized conveyance details of the bearer

including the bearer name, destination, departure time, and seat assignment.

9. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is

accepted for aircraft travel.

10. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is

accepted for cruise ship travel.

11. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is

accepted for ski-lift travel.

12. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is

accepted for rail travel.

13. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said boarding pass is

accepted for bus travel.

14. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said image is a photographic,

analog representation adhesively affixed to said substrate.

15. The boarding pass of claim 5 wherein said image is an electronic

representation, printed directly onto said substrate.

16. The boarding pass of claim 15 further comprising a database from

which said itinerary details in said human-cognizable image of the bearer are

retrievable in combination.

17. A method for encoding an aircraft boarding pass with an image of

a passenger to facilitate identity verification of the passenger at the time of aircraft boarding, comprising the steps of:

verifying the identity of the passenger prior to the boarding of the said

taking an electronic image of the passenger with a camera capable of

generating a digital, computer-storable image output;

associating said digital, computer-storable image output with

individualized travel itinerary details of the passenger, said details comprising

passenger name, passenger destination, aircraft flight number, aircraft departure time and passenger seat assignment;

printing a bar code onto a boarding pass, said bar code referencing said

computer-storable image output within a computer, the boarding pass comprising:

a self-supporting substrate having a perforation line transecting said substrate; a

blank conveyance form printed on said substrate, said form having an open

section, and blank sections proportioned for individualized travel itinerary details

of the passenger, said details comprising: passenger name, passenger destination,

aircraft flight number, aircraft departure time and passenger seat assignment; and

said bar code printed in the open section of said form;

reading said bar code with a bar code scanner to said computer database; recalling a human-cognizable image of the passenger from said computer-

storable image output, said computer-storable image output referenced to said bar

code with said computer database;

displaying said human-cognizable image on a monitor interfaced with said computer database; and

comparing the human-cognizable image on said monitor with the

at a location within said security perimeter isolating said aircraft.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: printing a

second bar code referencing said computer-storable image onto said boarding pass such that the perforation line is between said bar code and said second bar code.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: retrieving,

output from said computer database in which said details and said output are

stored.